Cebuanos protest vs Marcos’ Libingan ng mga Bayani burial

CEBU, Philippines - At least 100 Cebuanos joined a protest activity in front of the Capitol yesterday against the move to bury former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani.

Cebu’s leading personalities and activists during the Martial Law years took part in the protest alongside high school and college students from schools around Cebu City.

Organizers particularly target to inform the “millennials” of the many activities in the run up to the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue.

Emalyn Aliviano of Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (Kilusan)-Cebu said yesterdays’ protest action was the first of a series of protest actions against the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to allow Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Other groups like Selda and families of Marcos victims were also spotted in the activity.

The concert rally started around 4:30 p.m. and featured Martial Law photo exhibits, mugshots photo booths, and a sign-up petition calling for Duterte to reconsider his decision on the Marcos burial.

Retired Cebu executive judge Meinrado Paredes, who were among the activists during the Martial Law years, said the protest is an uphill battle considering that Duterte favors the Marcos family.

“It is an uphill battle but we should not be silent,” he said.

Paredes alleged that some of the Supreme Court justices are sympathetic to the Marcos family, too.

Lawyer Democrito Barcenas, a staunch anti-Marcos leader in Cebu, said Marcos had fake credentials, which means he was unfit to be buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani.

“Kana si Marcos fake nga bayani mana siya. Fake iyang medalya,” he said.

“Sabot ra na ni Duterte ug Bongbong Marcos nga ilubong si Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani. Walay labot ang lungsod ana,” said Barcenas.

Yesterday’s activity included songs by various student artists and local bands, and artwork presentations, among others.

Talks from former Martial Law detainees were also heard and a prayer for the martial law martyrs and missing victims capped off the protest action.

Over one hundred joined the third build-up activity of the Cebu Citizen Assembly against the burial of Marcos in Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Paredes and Barcenas, both victims of Martial Law, said they do not know how will the Supreme Court decides, if it would make the 20-day temporary restraining order permanent or lift it and pave the way for Marcos’ burial.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, too, said, he felt bad that Marcos would be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

He said that it belittles the honor and sacrifices of all or heroes in the country. (FREEMAN)